Each Industry Skills Board will have an Establishment Advisory Group consisting of three members.

Candidates will need strong governance and change management skills, an industry background, and an understanding of education and training.

New work-based learning model

What are the Establishment Advisory Groups’ responsibilities?

Establishment Advisory Groups will be responsible for ensuring each Industry Skills Board can successfully stand up on day one.

There will be various decisions that the governing body of each new Industry Skills Board will need to make on the day those organisations are established. The ability of those organisations to make the required decisions promptly will be essential to their success and their ongoing accountability and performance.  

Until the legislation is passed there are limits on how much work can be done in advance.

However, the Establishment Advisory Group can make key decisions to be ratified by the new Industry Skills Board once it has been appointed, including:

• appointing a chief executive-designate
• preparing day one documentation including delegations
• agreeing banking arrangements
• developing key policies
• determining an organisational structure and industry engagement model
  making operational arrangements for day one, eg, shared services, lease of premises, systems etc
• agreeing processes with relevant organisations on the transfer of assets and staff
• assisting the TEC with the consultation on key content for Orders in Council.

What sort of people are required?

Candidates are expected to have significant governance experience combined with strategic leadership experience. Ideally members of an Establishment Advisory Group will transition to membership of the first governing body of each Industry Skills Board to provide continuity in governance and ensure effective relationships and performance. Collectively, the members of the Establishment Advisory Groups will need to have the following experience and knowledge:

• Experience of strategic planning, including financial planning and sustainability
• Financial management experience, including capital asset management
• A well-tuned understanding of risk
• Understanding of the employment environment, including HR knowledge
• Experience in maintaining high standards while managing large-scale change
• Experience of implementing or improving policy frameworks
• Experience of effectively monitoring organisational performance in a governance or senior management role
• Experience in industry leadership, and extensive knowledge of, and connections within, industry
• An understanding of education and training.

Who can nominate a candidate?

Industry bodies can nominate candidates. This ensures candidates have the backing of industry. Industry bodies must obtain the permission of the candidate to be nominated.

How to nominate a candidate

To nominate a candidate, please complete the Industry Skills Board Establishment Advisory Group Member Nomination Form. Nominations received before 13 June 2025 will be considered for Establishment Advisory Groups.

However, nominations after this date are still welcomed. Later nominations will be considered for any unfilled positions on Establishment Advisory Groups or for additional members of the first boards of Industry Skills Boards.

How will members be appointed and paid?

The TEC will appoint and pay the members. Establishment Advisory Group members will have a direct contractual relationship with the TEC. We will seek to appoint three members for each Industry Skills Board.

Establishment Advisory Group members will be paid a daily rate in accordance with the Cabinet Fees Framework.

What is the expected time commitment?

TEC estimates members will need to commit to a maximum of two days per month between July and December 2025.

How will the Establishment Advisory Groups be supported?

TEC will provide support to every Establishment Advisory Group, including advice and administrative support.

Why are candidates being sought before Industry Skills Boards are decided?

We are seeking nominations now so Establishment Advisory Groups can be stood up promptly once decisions on the number and coverage of Industry Skills Boards are made.

We need people from a wide range of industries to serve on Establishment Advisory Groups with key skill sets of governance and change management.
Given only three members will be appointed to each Establishment Advisory Group, wide industry-based representation across an Industry Skills Board’s industries will not be possible. Members are there for governance and day one responsibilities rather than industry-specific representation or advocacy.